Europe's largest collection of ancient oak trees is found to be at Blenheim Palace after massive survey

• Blenheim Palace houses 291 ancient living oak trees, the study found  
• The research was primarily conducted by Kew's oak researcher Aljos Farjon 
• He said it was 'like stepping back into the distant wild past of our country'
• The survey hopes to identify veteran trees in order to protect them as they age  

Europe's largest collection of ancient oak trees can be found in the ground of Blenheim Palace. 

The British stately home has been found to house more important oak trees than anywhere else on the continent, following a survey by the Woodland Trust. 

It says it hopes to protect the country's valuable natural heritage against damage and destruction as the wizened trees continue to age.

Surveying of trees over several years at Winston Churchill's birthplace in Oxfordshire has recorded 291 living oak trees with a girth of at least 16 feet (five metres) on the estate.

Scroll down for video  

A project to map important trees across the country has helped reveal Europe's largest collection of ancient oaks in the grounds of a British stately home. Ancient oaks, like this one found at Blenheim Palace, tend to be the largest gnarliest specimens 

The majority (220) of these trees reside in High park, which is designated as an area with special scientific interest (SSSI) and is currently off limits to the public.  

Blenheim's remaining 71 can be seen dotted around the rest of the palatial grounds.  

The survey includes both ancient and veteran trees which are either in their final or penultimate stage of life. 

Differences between the two groups are purely down to age, with veteran trees resembling the gnarled ancient trees but have yet to enter the final life stage. 

Trees at the site are believed to date back up to 1,000 years ago, with the biggest measuring more than 34 feet in girth (10 metres 37 cm). The research was primarily conducted by Kew's oak researcher Aljos Farjon, who said High Park was the most amazing site with ancient oaks he had seen, and was 'like stepping back into the distant wild past of our country'.

The data from Blenheim was compared to other records from the Woodland Trust's ancient tree inventory.

Analysis confirmed the Blenheim collection ranks as number one across Europe.

The ancient tree inventory already has 160,000 trees listed, but the nature charity believes there are thousands more to be added.

Woodland Trust Privacy Policy

Surveying of trees over several years at Winston Churchill's birthplace in Oxfordshire has recorded 291 living oak trees with a girth of at least five metres (16ft) on the estate. Blenheim´s 'king oak' (pictured) is one of the ancient trees recorded 

WHAT MAKES A TREE ANCIENT?

The Woodland Trust has several categories for different trees based on their importance and age. 

The most esteemed is 'ancient trees' which, according to the organisation, relies on three thing. 

This includes: 

• In the third or final stage of its life (this stage can go on for decades or centuries)
• Old relative to others of the same species
• Interesting biologically, aesthetically or culturally because of its great age

Other signs of an ancient tree include: 

• Crown that is reduced in size and height
• Large girth in comparison to other trees of the same species
• Hollow trunk 
• Stag-headed appearance 
• Cavities on trunk and branches, running sap or pools of water forming in hollows
• Rougher or more creviced bark  

What is the difference between an ancient tree and a veteran tree?

Ancient trees are veteran trees, but not all veteran trees are old enough to be ancient.

Veteran trees  have developed some of the features found on ancient trees. 

However, veteran trees are usually only in their second or mature stage of life.

Although veteran trees aren’t as old or complex as ancient trees, they still provide holes, cavities and crevices which are especially important for wildlife. Members of the public can search for and record these old and gnarly characters of the UK countryside.

Ancient trees were recently given the same protection as built heritage under planning rules.

But the trust warns that in order to protect them, they must first be identified.  

Kylie Harrison-Mellor, citizen science officer for the Woodland Trust, said: 'Ancient and veteran trees are the fattest, knobbliest and most fascinating specimens of trees.

'They have countless stories to tell and support huge networks of native flora and fauna.

'They were recently given better protection under the National Planning Policy Framework, but unless we know where they are, we can't campaign against their damage and destruction.

'By recording with the ancient tree inventory, members of the public can take an active part in defending some of our most valuable habitats.

'We know there are thousands out there we haven't found yet – who knows, there could still be a bigger collection of ancients waiting to be discovered.'